Painting Is Infinite 61 (Jupiter) by David Om

Painting Is Infinite 61 (Jupiter) (2017)

Original painting in oil on canvas, presented in a simple wooden frame.

"King of the planets, almost like centre of a system within our own system (with it's moons which may support life). It is a familiar presence in the night sky, identifiable even in light-polluted skies. There is something existentially reassuring about it. The scale of Jupiter is mind-boggling, e.g. the well known storm spot is large enough to contain three Earths."

See inside the studioSelected for for Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2017, John Moores Painting Prize 14, Lynn Painter-Stainers 15. Pre-selected for; Royal Society of British Artists 15, BP Portrait Award 15.

David OMs skyscapes and telescopes communicate a huge sense of scale. Observatories ogle upwards like giant eyeballs, and miniature figurines gaze outwards through trompe d'oiel windows - created by the frame that stretches the canvas. Showing us the back of the canvas in this way suggests that the image lies somewhere in the infinite yonder.

There is a sense of dignified Zen-like detachment to much of David OM's work, many of his compositions function through minimalism and juxtaposition clarified through studious and critical practice. At the core of his work oscillates a pure sense of wonder alternating with a cold nihilism. His art often interacts with space science and astronomy whilst incorporating a metaphysical subtext that enables subject matter to assume new (often existential) symbolic meanings.

Astrophysics and figurine art are both subjects that capture the public imagination at present. Brian Cox meets London street artist Slinkachu with these playful reflections on the universe.